Ex. 7 | Perception of a Violin section | ODESSA IV
ODESSA IV| Perception of a Violin section | Ex. 7
Excerpt 7 presents a descending line played at a mf dynamic. In measures 1–2, the line appears in its original form with legato bowing throughout. In measure 2, the rhythmic values are halved, creating a diminished rhythmic version. By measure 4, the rhythm remains halved, but Andoni extends the line downward, reaching a lower A♭. Measure 5 features the same pitches as measure 4 but is performed with a staccato articulation.
The passage begins with a single violinist, then gradually adds more until all nine violinists—or technically, a full section of violins—are performing together. As you listen, pay close attention to how the character of the line evolves with each added violinist. At what point does the collective sound transition from distinct individual players to the unified, cohesive voice of a violin section, evoking the hybrid quality we attribute to sections of Violin I or Violin II? This exercise invites you to reflect on the perceptual threshold where solo timbres blend into the rich, homogeneous sound that we recognize as a "section," shaped by both orchestration and listener perception.